Double Impatiens plant named &#39;Cameo Red Surprise&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named ‘Cameo Red Surprise’, characterized by its large red and white bi-colored flowers; fully double flower form; freely flowering habit with flowers positioned above the foliage; compact, mounded, spreading, densely foliated, and freely branching plant habit; rapid growth rate; and large rounded dark green leaves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofDouble Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Cameo Red Surprise.

[0002] The new Impatiens is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Cartago, Costa Rica. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop new compact Double Impatiens cultivarswith large fully double flowers, excellent branching, and interestingflower and foliage colors.

[0003] The new Impatiens originated from a cross made by the Inventor ofa proprietary selection of Impatiens walleriana identified as codenumber 88VAR151A, not patented, as the female, or seed parent, with aproprietary selection of Impatiens walleriana identified as code numberF2 (R:DB), as the male, or pollen parent. The cultivar Cameo RedSurprise was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environmentin Cartago, Costa Rica.

[0004] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttingstaken at Cartago, Costa Rica, has shown that the unique features of thisnew Impatiens are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Cameo Red Surprise’.These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Cameo Red Surprise’ asa new and distinct cultivar:

[0006] 1. Large red and white bi-colored flowers.

[0007] 2. Fully double flower form.

[0008] 3. Freely flowering habit.

[0009] 4. Flowers positioned above the foliage.

[0010] 5. Compact, mounded and spreading plant habit.

[0011] 6. Rapid growth rate.

[0012] 7. Freely branching habit.

[0013] 8. Large rounded dark green leaves; densely foliated.

[0014] In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Cartago, Costa Rica,plants of the new Impatiens differ from plants of the female parent, theselection 88VAR151A, in the following characteristics:

[0015] 1. Leaves of plants of the new Impatiens are larger and morerounded than leaves of plants of the selection 88VAR151A.

[0016] 2. Plants of the new Impatiens have larger flowers than plants ofthe selection 88VAR151A.

[0017] 3. Plants of the new Impatiens have fully double flowers whereasplants of the selection 88VAR151A have single flowers.

[0018] 4. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are sterile whereasflowers of plants of the selection 88VAR151A are fertile.

[0019] In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Cartago, Costa Rica,plants of the new Impatiens differ from plants of the male parent, theselection F2 (R:DB), in the following characteristics:

[0020] 1. Plants of the new Impatiens are more compact and not asupright as plants of the selection F2 (R:DB).

[0021] 2. Plants of the new Impatiens have larger flowers than plants ofthe selection F2 (R:DB).

[0022] 3. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are red and whitebi-colored whereas flowers of plants of the selection F2 (R:DB) aresolid red in color.

[0023] 4. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are sterile whereasflowers of plants of the selection F2 (R:DB) are fertile.

[0024] The new Impatiens can be compared to the Impatiens wallerianacultivar BFP-13357, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,374. However, inside-by-side comparisons conducted in Lompoc, Calif., plants of the newImpatiens differ from plants of the cultivar BFP-13357 in the followingcharacteristics:

[0025] 1. Plants of the new Impatiens are more mounded and spreadingthan plants of the cultivar BFP-13357 which are more upright in planthabit.

[0026] 2. Plants of the new Impatiens have larger leaves than plants ofthe cultivar BFP-13357.

[0027] 3. Upper surfaces of leaves of plants of the new Impatiens aredark green in color whereas upper surfaces of leaves of plants of thecultivar BFP-13357 are dark green overlain with red purple in color.

[0028] 4. Plants of the new Impatiens have larger flowers with morepetals than plants of the cultivar BFP-13357.

[0029] 5. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are darker red in colorthan flowers of plants of the cultivar BFP-13357.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0030] The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overallappearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values citedin the detailed botanical description which accurately describe thecolors of the new Impatiens. The photograph comprises a top perspectiveview of a typical hanging basket container of ‘Cameo Red Surprise’ withthree plants per container about 10 weeks after planting rootedcuttings.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0031] The cultivar Cameo Red Surprise has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,daylength, water status, and fertilizer types and rate without, however,any variance in genotype. The following observations, measurements andcomparisons describe plants grown in Lompoc, California, undercommercial practice in a fiberglass-covered greenhouse with daytemperatures about 21 to 24° C., night temperatures about 16 to 18° C.and light levels generally about 3,000 to 4,000 footcandles. Threerooted cuttings were planted in 20-cm hanging basket containers andgrown for about 8 to 10 weeks.

[0032] In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0033] Botanical Classification: Impatiens walleriana cultivar Cameo RedSurprise.

[0034] Parentage:

[0035]Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Impatiens wallerianaidentified as code number 88VAR151A, not patented.

[0036]Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Impatiens wallerianaidentified as code number F2 (R:DB), not patented.

[0037] Propagation:

[0038]Type cutting.—Terminal cuttings.

[0039]Time to initiate roots.—Summer: About 10 days at 21° C. Winter:About 12 days at 21° C.

[0040]Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Summer and winter: About 28 daysat 21° C.

[0041]Root description.—Numerous, fibrous, fine and freely branching.

[0042] Plant Description:

[0043]General appearance.—Compact, mounded and spreading. Appropriatefor 10 to 15-cm pots and 20 and 25-cm hanging basket containers.

[0044]Growth and branching habit.—Vigorous and freely-branching with atleast ten lateral branches at the base, dense and bushy growth.Pinching, that is, removal of the terminal apices, is typically notrequired.

[0045]Crop time.—Rapid growth rate. From planting one rooted cutting ina 10-cm pot: About 5 to 6 weeks. From planting three rooted cuttings ina 20-cm hanging basket container: About 8 to 10 weeks.

[0046]Plant height.—About 19 cm.

[0047]Plant spread.—About 27 cm.

[0048]Lateral branches.—Length: About 21 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm.Internode length: About 1 to 2 cm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color:146D overlain with 184C.

[0049]Foliage description.—Leaves simple, alternate; broad and rounded,generally symmetrical; abundant, densely foliated. Length: About 5.25cm. Width: About 3.25 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Rounded toacute. Margin: Slightly serrated with ciliation. Texture: Smooth,glabrous. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Young foliage, uppersurface: 146A. Young foliage, lower surface: 146B with mostly centralirregular areas of 184C. Fully expanded foliage, upper surface: 147A.Fully expanded foliage, lower surface: 146B with mostly centralirregular areas of 184C. Venation, upper surface: 147B. Venation, lowersurface: 146B. Petiole: Length: About 1.35 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm.Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: 147B.

[0050] Flower Description:

[0051]Flower type and habit.—Numerous and consistently double red andwhite bi-colored flowers. Freely and continuously flowering. Flower budsopen similar to a rose in fullness; flowers rounded. Flowers arise fromleaf axils. Usually about 8 to 15 flowers and flower buds per lateralbranch. Flowers positioned above the foliage and typically face outwardto upward. Flowers last about 7 to 10 days on the plant depending ontemperature and weather conditions. Flowers not persistent. Flowers notfragrant.

[0052]Flowering season.—Year-round under greenhouse conditions. In thegarden, flowering is continuous from spring until fall.

[0053]Flower size.—Diameter: About 5 cm. Depth: About 2.3 cm.

[0054]Flower buds.—Rate of opening: From showing color to fully openflower, about 5 to 7 days is typical depending on temperature. Length:About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 1.2 cm. Shape: Ovoid. Color, beforeshowing petal color: Light green.

[0055]Petals.—Quantity/arrangement: About 30 to 35 per flower;imbricate. Length, outer petals: About 2.6 cm. Width, outer petals:About 2.5 cm. Shape: Roughly cordate to ovate. Apex: Rounded oremarginate. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire, slightly ruffled. Texture:Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface:Towards margin, red, 46B; towards center, white, 155C. With subsequentdevelopment, red color becomes lighter, 46C. When opening and fullyopened, lower surface: Towards margin, red, 41A; towards center, white,155C.

[0056]Peduncles.—Length: About 2.25 cm. Diameter: Less than 1 mm. Angle:About 45° to the lateral branch. Strength: Strong. Color: 146D.

[0057]Reproductive organs.—None observed.

[0058]Seed production.—Not observed.

[0059] Disease Resistance: Plants of the new Impatiens have demonstratedgood resistance to pathogens common to Impatiens, such as Botrytis.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plantnamed ‘Cameo Red Surprise’, as illustrated and described.